(St. Paul, MN)  --  The DNR today announced what they say is the largest conservation easement deal in Minnesota history.  Paper company UPM/Blandin will get 44 million dollars -- 34 million of that from the state and the rest in private funding.  In exchange, the company will make permanently available for recreation nearly 188 thousand acres of forest, wetlands and shoreline in Itasca and several adjacent counties.  Tom Duffus (DUFF-us) with The Conservation Fund says UPM/Blandin has made the property available to the public for many years, and the point is to maintain that.  Under the agreement subdivisions, developments and altering waterways is prohibited -- but UPM/Blandin can still harvest timber using sustainable practices.  The bulk of the land is big parcels scattered throughout Itasca County, but there are also large blocks in Saint Louis and Koochiching Counties, and small sections in Aitkin, Beltrami, Clearwater and Cass Counties.